Sustained operations require replacements within a unit as well as aircraft ready for the first day. The comparison uses an RAF fighter squadron with roughly twenty aircraft and twenty-four pilots to maintain a normal fighting strength of twelve aircraft. A Luftwaffe Staffel is described as having twelve aircraft and twelve pilots, leaving much less immediate reserve. This simplified establishment comparison explains why continued operations from May into the Battle of Britain could place a different strain on the two systems. German losses in France matter to the argument because surviving units then faced another major campaign without the short war their organization was expected to support.
Notable Point · 4:31:37-4:33:11
Why spare aircraft and pilots matter in a long air campaign
RAF and Luftwaffe unit establishments illustrate the difference between fielding twelve aircraft initially and sustaining that strength through losses.